Who is the Real Champagne Charlie?

While the moniker Champagne Charlie is now highly popularised, it was originally bestowed upon Charles Heidsieck, by the New York Press, who hailed his return to New York.

A true maverick – Charles Heidsieck founded the Champagne House in 1851 and it was his enterprising and innovative spirit that was the catalyst that inspired him to travel from France to America with his champagne – where he popularised champagne with his extraordinary wines and dazzling character.

Today, the House continues in the spirit of its founder, championing the brave innovators who set the pace in culture.

Heidsieck’s innovative vision has many kindred spirits at the Concours of Elegance. Just like Champagne Charlie himself – this extraordinary exhibit is a celebration in amazing feats of ingenuity, eccentricity and joie de vivre!

One such visionary – Gabriel Voisin, creator of The 1935 Voisin C-27 Aerosport, was a key pioneer of powered flight in the early 1900s. This incredibly rare piece of history is one of only 11,000 created and features an aluminium construction, a truly revolutionary technique for that time period.  As the lightweight material was in short supply during WW2, most of the models were scrapped, resulting in only 150 units now remaining. This rolling piece of art will be displayed for the first time at the Concours of Elegance 2021, where Charles Heidsieck will be raising a toast to the mavericks who have shaped art and culture.

Join the innovators and creators at the Concours of Elegance this year, with a glass of one of the marvellous Charles Heidsieck cuvées poured in bars across the site or sit and enjoy a bottle in the Champagne Charlie Terrace, watching the cars pass by on their way to the main stage.